Thousands of anti-lockdown protesters took to the streets today in Australia's two largest cities, with several arrested in Sydney after violent clashes with police. A group charged officers on horseback throwing jars and bottles during a protest against restrictions in Sydney, while in Melbourne, local media reported that thousands of protesters crowded the streets after gathering in front of the state parliament in the early afternoon.
Maskless protesters violated non-essential travel rules and public gatherings the day after authorities suggested the restrictions could remain in effect until October.
Sydney police said they had launched a "high visibility police operation" in response to the protest. "So far during the operation, a number of people have been arrested," the police said.
The organizers had called the protest a manifestation of "freedom" and advertised it on social media pages, often used to spread disinformation about vaccines and conspiracy theories. Participants carried signs and banners with various slogans including "Wake up Australia".
After surviving much of the first pandemic unscathed, around half of the 25 million Australians are now in solitary confinement in several cities, and there is growing anger over restrictions and against the government, accused of inability to provide adequate supplies. of vaccines. Only 11% of the population is fully vaccinated.